'55 convertible trunk pan replacement

[Geoff]

Well, I got the trunk pan several months ago but life got in the way of me installing it....






http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j257/sg3000/c9c09915.jpg


Getting ready to begin the next round to finish the trunk area.
Had some weak areas and found that under the seam sealant there were some rusty areas on the lower wheel well, so I cut out the trunk pan.


http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j257/sg3000/IMG_6833.jpg


http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j257/sg3000/IMG_6836.jpg


I ordered these pieces from CARS


http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j257/sg3000/IMG_7036.jpg






Will order these next for the bottom of the side walls






http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j257/sg3000/_7764LeftRepairPiecefromCARS.jpg


http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j257/sg3000/_7765RightRearTrunkPiecefromCars.jpg






I've decided that I should probably replace the tail pan even though I don't see any rust through. I don't want anything coming through later because this car will be 100% rust free after the trunk repair.


So I lined up the trunk gaps. Got it this close after only about 5 minutes work. I was happy.




http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j257/sg3000/IMG_57732Large.jpg







.



.

[Geoff]

2 Questions:


Should I just grind the rest of the old trunk edge or try to drill out the spot welds?


Where would you cut to splice this in? I'm trying to decide how to go about it.


http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j257/sg3000/IMG_6836.jpg


http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j257/sg3000/IMG_7036.jpg

[smooth 56]

Geoff I don't think I would waste my time cutting the spot weld's along the sides as you'r goin to cut that away anyway for the new part's.Don't cut the outer tail pain out until you get the floor back in you will take all the strienth away if you do.I have been working in the trunk doing about the same thing as you It's no fun got so mad last night I had to walk away.As fer as where to cut and splice I have alway's used the new part's for a templet marked it then cut about an inch below the line that I have marked that way you dont cut to much and trimed as needed.Hope this help's
smooth

[chevynut]

Geoff, why is that part so short? Isn't it an inner quarter? Or is it just a tub?

To remove the flange I'd just grind it off. I think that's easier than drilling spot welds.

[Geoff]

I agree with you guys that I should just grind the edge off. Drilling spot welds can be a pain.

Lazlo, the reason that part is short is because it's a patch panel. Here's the other piece (below) that continues to the rear of the trunk.

Smooth, I was thinking about cutting and replacing the tailpan after I repaired the rust damage. I was going to build a small jig to support the quarters while replacing the tail pan.
Can you replace the trunk pan without replacing the tail pan? I thought it was layered and would be a huge hassle.


http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j257/sg3000/_7764LeftRepairPiecefromCARS.jpg

[Bakins]

I''ll have to do the same soon. How much did you pay for shipping, if I may ask.

I may replace my whole inner quarter on the driver's side. It may be nothing but patch panels if I don't - slight exaggeration.

Keep the pics coming, they are most helpful.

[Rick_L]

Answer is you can't do it without at least removing everthing from it if I remember correctly. You could leave it in place if it didn't need repair whatsoever. The order from top to bottom of the major pieces is tail pan, floor, tail pan brace. You'll also need to remove the striker bracket.

I removed mine and re-used it after repairing a couple of tiny holes. But I didn't replace the whole trunk floor, only the last 10". I did however replace the inner and outer doglegs - that's why the pan came off. I didn't need to brace because my damage was not forward at all, but if I were you I'd brace the opening and remove it all.

The doglegs don't fit well and required more work than the rest of the job.

[Geoff]

I was also thinking about supporting the quarters by doing something like this guy on trifive did.
He built a little support and clamped it to the frame.
(Sorry, I can't remember who came up with this idea)


http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j257/sg3000/clamped20in20position.jpg


http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j257/sg3000/Jig20clamped20to20chassis201.jpg

[smooth 56]

Geoff this is some of the shit that I'm dealing with.
627
627
628
629
Don't have any new pic's but the tail pan is in now. Working on the side's now getting ready to put the floor pan in next.

[Geoff]

Wow, you do have a bit of work to do. Glad to see you
saving that car.

[smooth 56]

Man this thing has turned into a money pit if you know what I mean LOL. But I like doing the work, I like being able to tell someone that I did that to me that's what it's all about.I don't have a deep pocket's to pay to have it dune so I learn how to do it myself write or wrong that's how I have learned everything.
smooth